5 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards in 2018

Traveling is a rewarding experience, and having the right travel rewards card makes it even more so. Whether it is getting reimbursements or points for travel spending, or earning airline miles for everyday spending, there are many ways in which the right credit card can make traveling less expensive and more rewarding in the long run.
With many different options to choose from though, picking a credit card that matches your own travel needs can be overwhelming. In this article, I take a look at some of the best travel rewards credit cards in order to help you find one that works best for your future travel plans.

What Are the Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards in 2018?

When choosing the best travel rewards credit cards, there are a number of important criteria to consider. The most obvious is how much rewards they offer, though they come in several different varieties. Statement credit for purchases is a simple one, but those rewards are often smaller than airline miles or points. The points or miles can also be earned at different rates for different kinds of purchases. In this comparison, I make some guesses about how often travelers might make purchases in each category to come up with a comparison between the different cards. Cards that offer more rewards for less effort or spending tend to be the better ones.

The other consideration are costs involved with using the card. Annual fees, interest rates, foreign transaction fees, and other costs are all negatives for travel credit cards, and must be weighed against their benefits. Some cards also have high credit requirements, which might make them harder to get. Overall, the best travel rewards credit cards are ones that provide the best rewards and the lowest fees, though most of the time there are compromises between those two areas.

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards Comparison

4% back on restaurants, takeout, and bars
3% back on airfare, hotels, and vacation home rentals
2% back on online purchases
1% back on all other purchases
Earn $100 after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days

60,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months
5 points per dollar on airfare and hotels booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel
1 point per dollar on all other purchases

50,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
5,000 points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase
2 points per dollar on travel and dining
1 point per dollar on all other purchases

$0 first year, $95 after

5. Barclays Uber Visa

Perfect for millennials, the Barclays Uber Visa brings a number of benefits for younger travelers, such as great rewards on common categories of purchases. It is edged out of the top spots by cards that offer more bonus points and better perks to go with the rewards.

Bonuses you get:

4% back on restaurants, takeout, and bars, 3% back on airfare, hotels, and vacation home rentals, 2% back on online purchases, and 1% back on everything else;

Earn $100 after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days;

Up to a $50 credit for online subscription services;

Up to $600 in mobile phone protection;

No foreign transaction fees;

4. American Express Platinum

The American Express Platinum is the real deal when it comes to getting excellent benefits, from VIP status with Uber to entry into exclusive lounges. It also offers some of the best rewards, but only in limited categories that you must book directly or through American Express. It also comes with a high annual fee.

Bonuses you get:

60,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months;

5 points per dollar on airfare and hotels booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases;

3. Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is among the best travel rewards credit cards for those who travel a lot. It may have a high fee, but it almost all of it will be refunded through the annual travel credit, assuming you spend at least that much on travel. It also offers pretty good rewards in relatively common categories and allows you to spend it in very versatile ways through its various partners.

Bonuses you get:

50,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months;

3 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases;

$300 annual travel credit;

$100 credit for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry;

Access to partner airport lounges;

Bonus benefits at The Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection;

1-to-1 point conversion to partner loyalty programs;

50% extra points value when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards;

No foreign transaction fees;

2. CapitalOne Venture

The CapitalOne Venture card is the easiest to use of all of the best travel rewards credit cards, as it simply offers a flat 2 miles on all purchases. This makes it incredibly powerful when it comes to earning points compared to other cards. The only thing keeping it from the top slot is the lack of special rewards programs: the miles only translate into statement credit.

Bonuses you get:

50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months;

2 miles per dollar on all purchases;

Rewards redeemable as statement credit;

No foreign transaction fees;

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best all around card in our ranking of the best travel rewards credit cards. It offers similar rewards and benefits as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card above, though a little smaller in many cases. However, it also comes with a much lower annual fee and the same bonus point structure, which makes it a better choice for a wider selection of travelers.

Bonuses you get:

50,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and 5,000 points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase;

2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases;

1-to-1 point conversion to partner loyalty programs;

25% extra points value when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards;

No foreign transaction fees;

Bottom Line

The best travel rewards credit cards are the ones that offer a good amount of points, many good ways to use them, and are not burdened by too many fees. On those criteria, the flexibility and the low costs of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card make it my favorite. You earn bonus points on a fairly wide category, get a big chunk up front, and can redeem them either through Chase directly for a bonus or through any of the Chase partner loyalty programs for more specialized rewards. Combined with a low annual fee, this makes that card the winner in my book. What is your favorite travel rewards card? Share your experience below.